A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. These casinos may be built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. Some states also permit standalone casinos. In the United States, there are numerous jurisdictions where gambling is legal, including Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan, Delaware, and Rhode Island. In some cases, these casinos are operated by Native American tribes.
In a casino, patrons gamble by playing games of chance or skill. Most games have a mathematical expectation of winning or losing, and the house usually takes a percentage of the bets made by players called the rake. Exceptions include poker, where the house makes a profit by taking a small commission from each pot, and the game of craps, in which skill is important.
Casinos employ a variety of security measures to prevent cheating and theft by both patrons and employees. Cameras and other electronic equipment monitor activity throughout the casinos. Chip tracking allows the casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute, and electronic systems in table games enable the computers to discover any deviations from expected results.
In some cases, a casino may offer a cashback bonus to its customers. This is a way to reward players for their loyalty and encourage them to continue betting. However, it is essential that players understand the terms and conditions of this type of promotion before they sign up.